Adjustable shore



11, 1930. o. E. METZGER 1,746,400

ADJUSTABLE SHORE Filed Feb. 27. 1928 INVENTOR: Donald llfetz qer,

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Feb. 11, 1930 PATENT OFFICE DONALD E. METZGER, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA ADJUSTABLE SHORE Application filed. February 27, 1928. Serial No. 257,336.

In this specification, and the accompanying drawing, I shall describe and show a preferred form of my invention, and specifically mention certain of its more, important objects. I do not limit myself to theforms disclosed, since various changes and adaptations may be made therein without departing from the essence of my invention as hereinafter claimed; and objects and advantages,

other than those specifically mentioned, are

included within its scope.

This invention relates to adjustable shores,

and its salient objects are; first, to provide an improved device of this nature that is adapted for utilizing two short pieces of lumber to constitute a single composite shore of greater length than either; second, to supply a very quick and convenient way for safely joining the shore members to withstand heavy loadings, Without danger of slipping; and, third,

to accomplish the foregoing purposes by means of a very simple and relatively inexpensive device.

My objects are attained in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamping member of my shore, by itself;

Figure 2 isa side elevation of the shore, completely assembled and ready for loading;

and

Figure 3 is a top view of one end of the clamping members, when collapsed and ready for shipping.

Similar reference numerals referto similar parts, throughout the several views and the description.

It is well known that in the construction of buildings and similar works, a large number of relatively short lengths of shore lumher will accumulate. To splice these pieces by nailed-on scabs or similar means, and later to remove the scabs and readjust the shores for length, requires a relatively heavy item of expense, by reason of the high-priced labor and the material used for the scabs. To obviate this I have provided a clamping and splicing means that may be adjusted almost instantly, and that may be used over and over for an indefinite period. I have further provided a very simple means for collapsing the clamps for convenience in shipping and storing.

My clamping device comprises opposed end-members 5, having spaced teeth 6 pro jecting fromtheir inner edges. In the form illustrated, the end-members are connected by two pairs of side ,bars'l', by means of pivotalrjoints 8. Thus the clamp may be collapsed for shipping by changing the rela tive positions of its members, in the manner indicated in Figure 3.

Two of the clamps are, applied, spaced, to sticks 9 and 10, to form the composite shore illustrated in Figure 2. The distance between the end members of the clamps is slightly greater than the combined thickness ,of the two upright shore sticks, so that the clamps will assume sloping positions when s u n l" the shores are 111 use, as shown in Figure 2.

The teeth 6 are caused to penetrate the material of the shore sticks by a blow of a hammer, to obviate any possibility that the clamps may slip. The penetration of the teeth is limited however, by the spacing surfaces between them, to avoid any possibility of further or progressive penetration that might be caused by jarring the shores while they are loaded. Small adjustments of the height of the shores may be made by Wedges 12 in the usual manner.

I desire to emphasize the advantages af-- forded by the use of the spaced teeth 6. The clamps, in the sloping position they assume when in use, force the shore sticks against each other with very great pressure. This pressure in fact is much greater than the load borne by the shores, by reason of the composition of the forces. The spacing surfaces 11, between the teeth, afford adequate bearing surfaces for withstanding this transverse pressure without indenting the material of the shore sticks. The teeth themselves are used merely as a guaranty that the clamps will not slip as a result of tampering with them, or by reason of jarring while under load. The composite shores might be capable of supporting their loads without any dependence upon the teeth, but the latter are necessary for safety.

Obviously my device may be cheaply produced, and is adapted for quick application by cheap labor.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim:

1. A device of the character described, comprising; a pair of vertically disposed shoresticks; and sloping rectangular frame-shaped clamps, holding said shore-sticks together and preventing respective longitudinalmovement thereof; said clamps being composed of straight bar members permanently pivoted together at their intersections in such manner astopermitofcollapsing the clamps Whennot in use; and the upper and lower bar members of the clamps having inwardly projecting teeth respectively penetrating the material of the shore-sticks, and being provided with plane surface between the teeth adapted to limit the penetration thereof.

2. A device of the character described, comprising; a pair of shore-sticks held together by sloping frame-shaped clamps; said clamps having, at their upper and lower ends, inwardly projecting teeth penetrating the material of said sticks; and the respective end members of the clamps being joined by a pair of side bars at each of the respective sides of the clamp; said side bars being outside of the end members, and pivotally joined thereto, so that the clamps may be collapsed when the device is disassembled, by causing the end members to recede between the si e bars.

DONALD E. METZG'ER; 

